Luka Dončić’s performance on Thursday night was far from the “Luka Magic” fans have come to expect, as the Los Angeles Lakers fell to the Golden State Warriors 123-116 in a crucial Western Conference showdown. Dončić, who finished with 19 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists, struggled throughout the game, shooting just 6-for-17 from the field and 0-for-6 from beyond the arc. His poor shooting was particularly notable, as he snapped a 114-game streak of making at least one 3-pointer, dating back nearly two years.
“I think the Warriors played good defense, but we didn’t play with enough trust,” Dončić admitted after the game. “That performance from me was unacceptable. When I play like that, it makes it harder for the team to win.” Despite his offensive struggles, Dončić made 7-of-7 free throws and tried to contribute in other ways, but his poor shooting left the Lakers trailing behind.
The Lakers, who had been fighting to hold onto their position in the top four of the West, were outplayed in the first half, shooting just 35.7% and trailing by 13 points at halftime. LeBron James (33 points) and Austin Reaves (31 points) kept the Lakers competitive in the second half, but they were unable to complete a comeback. “We just didn’t execute the way we should have,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said, adding that the team’s spacing and alignment were off early on.
Despite the loss, Dončić’s struggles have been a concerning trend for the Lakers, especially with the playoffs approaching. His recent shooting woes—particularly from 3-point range, where he’s gone just 3-for-22 over the last three games—are raising questions about his consistency. “It’s always frustrating when you can’t help your team,” Dončić said. “But it’s not always about scoring. You can help in other ways.”
With six games left in the regular season, the Lakers (46-30) sit in the No. 4 spot in the West but face a challenging schedule, including matchups with playoff-caliber teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder and Dallas Mavericks. For the Lakers to secure a strong playoff position, they will need a much sharper performance from their star guard.
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